Summer School Edited Essay

Only Canadian Literature in Grade 12 What is it that grade 12’s learn in English class in the country of Canada? The one thing that is not taught is Canadian literature. All across Canada, grade 12’s are being taught Shakespeare and other American or British playwrights. Sure the writings are excellent pieces, but how are they relative to our Canadian Heritage? This essay will prove that graduating students must be taught only Canadian literature in grade 12 rather than the aspects of American and British literature. There are great writers from all different cultures, despite this, as Canadians we must remain intent on learning the literature of our own country. Out of the various reasons for teaching only Canadian literature in grade 12, there are three main reasons that everybody should understand. The three reasons are; to assist students in becoming more familiar with the country they live in, to promote and establish our own Canadian writers, and to encourage the younger Canadian authors. As a member of the Canadian population, you are practically obligated to understand your own country. From this point on students in Canada taking grade 12 English should only study Canadian literature; this being because we are becoming completely swamped by the American culture around us. And losing touch with the Canadian roots. As said in David H. Flaherty’s novel The Beaver Bites Back? “…more needs to be done to help us avoid being
Shaw 2 swamped by u.s. cultural products…” (Flaherty 29). It starts with products then moves to culture changes. So, for years, a student in Ontario would study Shakespeare and other British writers; today they may also study American authors such as Fitzgerald. Thus having many schools limit a student’s exposure to a Canadian novel by having ISP (independent study project) reading list filled with American written books. One thing that is specific to Canada is that our country